Somewhere in the distance, the dragon roared and thrashed its tail, tossing rubble through the air.
Levy's hands, slick with blood, struggled to find purchase on Gajeel's skin in order to haul him up. His head lolled against the shattered concrete and he wheezed before sitting up and shoving her away.
"Where is it?" He rasped.
"Natsu is fighting it right now." She replied. "Lucy and Erza are searching for Juvia."
Another roar echoed out, but closer.
"Come on, let's go." She struggled to pull him up, and he shoved her away again.
"It ain't gonna work."
"What are you-"
"I said, it ain't gonna work." He huffed and sat back. "You can't carry me like this."
"I've carried you before, Gajeel, just-"
"Open your damn eyes!" His fist clenched at his side. "Look at me. Just… fucking look, alright? You really think I'm gonna survive this?" He turned towards her, revealing the bloody mess that had once been the top half of his arm. Everything below the elbow had been shredded off. "And look at yourself." He reached out, placing his remaining hand on the swell of her stomach. "You can't carry me like this."
"Gajeel." She nearly coughed. Her throat felt dry and painful. "I can't- What am I supposed to do if you're not there?"
"Live." He said firmly. "You and the kid. You live. You're strong, you'll be alright without me. You survived all those years before we met, after all. As for the kid…" He broke off, his eyes wandering down to her stomach. "I just wish I could've met them. I wish I could've seen them, held them, been there for them." He closed his eyes. "Just… make sure he or she knows I didn't just fuck off and leave them, alright? That I'd be there if I could."
Another roar echoed out, followed by a loud boom.
"Gajeel, please, we can still-"
"No, not we. You." He chuckled, pulling his hand away from her stomach. There was a bloody handprint left behind on her dress. "I'm done for."
There was another roar, and a shout from Natsu. The dust started to rise.
"Gajeel, please." Her hands fisted into his shirt. "I can't just leave you here."
"You have to." His hand came up to clutch hers. "If not for yourself, do it for the kid. Please, Levy. Please."
She sobbed, her tears burning the deep scratches on her face. Magic flowed into her fingers, and a small block of iron appeared before them. She pressed it into his remaining hand before standing up.
"Don't die, Gajeel."
He smirked. "I've never been good at keeping my promises."
And she ran.